Crowthorne & Crown Wood Cricket Club

Wellington College-educated, Ant joins for the 2011 season with twin brother Will.  Right handed Batsman and Off-spinner. His potency with ball comes from the mystery which he provides, neither batsmen or himself know what the ball will do next, this has been a key weapon his his arsenal. 

Anthony has made himself a key member of the Crowthorne and Crown Wood fraternity, setting up the CCWCC Flag society which currently has 3 members including Kieran Golding. His love of flags has opened up many avenues for him and he recently returned from a 3 month trip/retreat to Kathmandu for the International Vexillology Convention. Ant was among the key note speakers along with Kim Jong-Un, The Dalai Lama and Imran Khan. Speaking after the event he said that he was humbled to be in such esteemed company and Kim Jong-Un is "a misunderstood guy with great banter", The Dalai Lama "has anger issues" and Imran Khan "has little knowledge of flags but makes up for it in his ability to chin a Guinness with no hands"  

Local entrepreneur, Andrew Baines, joined the club looking for a chance to ‘give back to the community that has given him so much’. Baines made his money as a property mogul and Cosplay costume designer winning Best Costume at the London, Paris, Milan and San Diego Cosplay events.

 

During the summer, Baines donates his time, and considerable personal wealth, to the club and even the cold winter chill cannot deny him his love for the club and the game by rattling through batting lineups in the Eversley Indoor Cricket League. Indoor Captain Jeff Cluett and manager, Sinith Chandran, have been overheard on a number of separate occasions at the local watering hole, The Frog and Wicket, singing Baines’ praises as he cleaned up yet another side with his slow left arm grenades.

Not just a bowler, Baines is always good for a few runs and sometimes even more than that regularly contributing 50+ runs to an innings. Nicknamed the ‘Village Bradman’ by local funny man and hunk Ant Avrili, seeing Baines slashing shots through Cover Point in his Baggy Green is one of the sights of the summer. This display, unsurprisingly, attracts many passersby that look on enviously as Baines piles on the pain for opposition teams.

The Red Barron, perhaps the one and only Crows player to attain a nickname before even playing a game for the Club.
Another in a long line of South Africans to have represented the Crows, the main difference being he could actually play.
In 2009, he had 1 innings, scored 90-odd.  

Rich became fully integrated into the Club during the 2010 season. A regular on both Saturdays and Sundays, The Red Barron smashed the club batting record with a staggering 179 against Yateley in July 2010.Like all South African's he's a BBQ/Braaii expert - self-proclaimed. He held the highest average of all the batsmen in the 2013 Div 2 winning side and deservedly scooped the Saturday 1s batting prize accordingly.

A shy and socially awkward man, Barron is more at home in a library or book store than at a bar or cricket club function. He only plays half of the season each year because of this, as too much social interaction brings him out in anxiety attacks. Despite this handicap he puts on a brave face and is a real inspiration.

He Says: 'Some are born great, some achieve greatness, some have greatness thrust upon them. I'll settle for a fifty and a pint.'

Son of Crown Wood legend Sean Brundish. Mikey has the loudest voice on planet earth. 

Hard-hitting batsman, tricky bowler and all-round good egg, Pete made his mark with the club by providing a case of beer for his team-mates on his debut. That'll do for us!
Awarded himself the nickname Kiwi due to his New Zealand heritage.

Young fast bowler, good fielder and working hard on my batting. Shot to fame as part of the all conquering Indoor Team that won the 2013 Eversley indoor league. Also part of the U17s indoor team that retained their title in 2014.

 

Dan is a keen bird watcher and can often be gone for weeks at a time searching for the perfect bird. He's attempted to set up the Amateur Bird Watching Society at all of his previous Jobs, including Warwickshire County Cricket club. When asked about his favorite bird he replied "I'm always partial to a Great Tit, but I'm a bit of sucker of the larger birds, they're easier"

Another to come through the youth ranks at CW, Rob has turned into probably the finest spin bowler the club has ever produced. An aggressive batsman as well (Twenty20 stylee), he was a mainstay of the CW teams of the Premier era.

His wife (girlfriend at the time) also has the accolade of the finest tea ever made at St Sebastian's.

Made a blistering 93 in the final match of the 2015 season after being promoted to opening batsman.

Joe is our newest import from Down Under having relocated from Sydney to Crowthorne (can'y be many people that do it that way round). Joe is a legspinner and right handed batsman. He took an instant liking to "The Newbury" at his first net session.
Joe hit an impressive 52 not out in his 3rd game for the club against BBC Caversham. Joe went on to score over 400 league runs in his first season to scoop both the "newcomer" award as well as the Berkshire League Young Player of the year 2012 award, and was a key member of the 2013 Div 2 winning side.

Joe is undoubtedly the best thrower of a cricket ball north of Alice Springs, and is responsible for large numbers of runouts and overthrows in equal measure. He is famed for his vest/wooly hat combo, probably a result of the climate difference from his native land.

He Says: 'My proudest moment on a cricket field was my club record fourth wicket stand of 171* with Jeff Cluett in 2012. It was a privilege to stand at the other end.'

Crown Wood and Berkshire Cricket League legend. 2nd longest serving member of CW, Ravi has played for the club for approx 25 years. Owns Crown Wood's best ever bowling figures of 9-56. But better known for "Ravi's rolls" - his tea speciality.
As a youngster he was a hostile swing bowler with searing pace* and a top order batsman. Now he has reached the age when you start to count backwards, the pace is not quite as hostile but the accuracy is as perfect as ever.
*it's all relative

He was a key member of the 2014 Div 1 winning team for the newly merged club, picking up the Captain's award in the process. This win was shrouded in controversy however as it was later alleged that skipper Ant Cluett's beloved Holme Grange school had received a "significant" donation from Ravi in the run up to the awards' night. Brave whistle-blower Jeff Cluett, who put aside family loyalty to uncover this, went on to say that "everyone was astonished the award didnt go to Ant's brother, and now we know why".

He Says: "I don't want to discuss that affair, my character is above reproach and I won that award fair and square. I am the Pride of Bracknell, that is all you need to know."

Another fine product of the clubs youth system, who’s appearances are limited nowadays as he has gone away to flight school. Think Top Gun academy but without the Sunglasses, Cool Planes, Girls, Leather Jackets and Excitement.

Also forced in being a Chelsea fan by his father.

 

RP Hester is a classic village cricket all rounder...can't bat or bowl! But reasonable glove work and on field leadership means he still has his Crowthorne & Crown Wood central contract. Captained the Sunday side in the famous 2011 1-wicket win at Sandhurst. Digging in for the final wicket, scoring 2 off 25 balls in determined style to help see the Crows home to win the A3095 Ashes! Elected 2012 Sunday captain by popular demand on the back of this historic victory. His electric coolbox is more than useful for post-nets beers.
He says: 'Probably more catches than runs for the club'
We say: 'Probably more wickets than runs for the club, too'

Fun Fact: A lifelong model railway enthusiast, Rich houses a scale replica of the Stockton to Darlington expressway in his conservatory. He lists his proudest achievements in his life as first, his replica railway, second, his children, and third, that run he scored a couple of seasons ago.

Although probably one of the most gifted all rounders to have graced Crowthorne, sadly it has only ever been his bowling that has been recognised by the club (and scorers). He won the club bowling averages five consecutive years and collected two Berkshire League divisional awards. Has never managed to capture the coveted player of the year award, probably down to a vote rigging/ drunken outrage incident during the mid-nineties. Best bowling? Either 8-37 or 3-0 off three balls, take your pick!

Interesting FACT: The Long Room at Lord's is named in honour of Aran's 6 consecutive "Bowler of the year" awards.

Mid-season signing from Cumbria University CC.   Right-arm spinner and right-handed batsman.


Recently given up working behind the bar at one of RG45's premium venues to concentrate solely on his cricket. Useful player when girlfriend allows.

IT consultant, father of two, love movies/food/travelling. Needless to say, above all, absolutely passionate about CRICKET!

Marshall or Monty is Crowthorne's Mr Reliable; he has given his entire 40 year childhood to the club.  A very solid number 11, particularly tricky bowler and sometimes even keeps wicket. Can always be relied on to provide two or three comedy injuries per season, including a nasty broken ankle sustained during Crows Winter Footy.   Monty is also the regular favourite and usual winner of the annual duck prize, as well as trying to run Dan close for the Sunday Bowling prize each year. Another Reading FC season ticket holder despite his Man United background and tattoos!!!

Monty has been described by teammates, opponents and lovers alike as a prodigious swinger, and his wrist position as he delivers is as effective as it is efficient.

He says: I am always happy to bat at 11
We say: Duck avoidance (ineffective)

Fun Fact: Monty is a huge Star Wars fan and has attended the official 'Lucas-Con; London' for 28 straight years. Amongst other memorabilia he owns a replica "Return of the Jedi" Ewok costume he claims never to have worn.

A Wicketkeeper-batsman (in that order!), Fitz has captained Pembroke College, Oxford, played for Wadham College, Oxford and a wandering club call the Gaieties.

While working in Oxford during the week, he plans to make the weekly pilgrimage down to Crowthorne to get his cricket fix. 

Tom is Right-hand batsman and occasional slow right-arm bowler. He's joined the club after an absence of 8 years away from the game.
Driven out of his own home by his wife who was sick of him cluttering up the house on a Sunday, Tom has been told to find a new hobby.... So has made the obvious step and joined his local cricket side. Made his debut in the Sunday Splinter XI at Eversley.

Joined the club in 2010 as a fast bowling all rounder and brought the key attribute of being able to smooth over the Wellington College liaison from the inside. The days of bounding in bowling snorting bouncers to Sandhurst openers are behind him and after many years of seeing the likes of Dan come in off three paces and clean up wicket after wicket, the retirement plan of bowling liquorice allsorts was born. Rarely allowed to be released in a real match, those ghastly googlies are mainly reserved for Sundays when every other avenue has been exhausted. Trying to capitalise on a decent batting season in 2016, with a ton against Arcadian Casuals and make an opening batsman role a permanent move.
But it's on the football pitch where he comes into his own. The Golden boot award has been abandoned after he won it for so many years in succession that everyone got bored. Current holder of the Golden Hoof Award too, but committed to stop hogging all the footballing trophies and let someone else have a go.

Club Stalwart and all round legend of the Crowthorne area, The Partridge can often be found at the club or touring the away games when unable to turn the arm himself. Having taken a 18 month absence out of the game he was thrown back into the fold by the ONES Captain Will Avrili, who was looking to motivate and inspire the younger generation in the club. Dan has consistently taken wickets throughout his cricketing career and continues to do so to this day. 

In his spare time The Partridge frequents the Mad Stad to watch his beloved Reading FC or spending his wages following the England cricket team across the globe. Back in 2013 a mini documentary series was commissioned to follow Dan in his daily life called 'Up with Partridge - The Making of a Legend', Dan declined to speak on the documentary, instead the BBC recruited Ashley Giles to narrate the series after a personal request from Ashley himself. In the series we see Dan's memorabilia room which was once a childs bedroom, in this shrine he has many prized artifacts of his 2 loves, Reading and The England Cricket Team. The room includes a pair of Stephen Hawking's football boots (Unworn), a jock strap from Reading's all time leading goal scorer Trevor Senior, and a 'used' tissue from his favorite England cricket Alan Mullaly. After a high profile court battle the series was removed from Netflix and is now permanently on BBC iPlayer. Partridge's lawyer later stated that this was due to Dan's insistence that the series be free to air, citing the demise of English cricket since 2005 for his decision. 

A recent petition has taken place to get the Nine Mile Ride End by St Sebs renamed the Dan Partridge End which is currently at 55,000 signatures. When asked what it meant to be the centre of such a fantastic cause he simply replied 'No comment'. 

Transitional-lens wearing former skipper of the Sunday team. A complete novice a mere 6 years ago, Dave has developed into a hard-hitting, but sturdy bastman, good fielder (using all availabile body parts to stop the ball) and an appalling bowler.Scored his maiden 50 in 2009, hitting all his runs entirely on the leg-side. Dave attributes his fielding prowess to his 20 years man-and-boy goalkeeping experience. About to tie the knot to Fliss who is the 2011 WAGS cakebaker of the year.

Simon earned his Saviour nickname for scoring the winning runs off the final ball in a tight Berkshire League encounter against Swindon NALGO in his first season. Joined as a bowler but went on to win the batting averages in 2006. Outstanding fielder and twice winner of the fielder of the year award, this despite one particular fungus related instance away at Purley. Currently the Club's Fixtures Secretary. For all his good work, he lets himself down by supporting Swindon Town. A mystery bowler who has a different style every time you see him, he ran Dan very close for the 2012 bowling award.

 
Hit the headlines in 2015 when he stood in for MC PC Hester as DJ CJ's sidekick at the club day with a long stint commentating and scoring.

Big Reading FC fan like his dad!

Nagging accurate medium pacer and big hitting tail ender.  One of the unsung heroes of the 2014 Div 1 title winning team.

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Chris ‘Winchy’ Winch has fast become a stalwart of the Saturday seconds team as well as club ne league tough guy. An aggressive middle order batsman, he has the ability to take the game away from the opposition in the blink of an eye with lusty blows down the ground as well as languid drives smudged through the covers.

Away from the game, Winchy works as a debt collector and ‘enforcer’ for the Berkshire branch of a notorious Dagenham-based mafia family. The ‘Bloody Good Rep’ as he is known by those in the underworld, has been known to operate across Berkshire and Hampshire in major conurbations such as Slough, Reading, Aldershot, Bracknell, Didcot and Yateley as well as Winnersh, Taplow and Burfield.

Although operating somewhat outside of the law in his ‘professional’ life, Winchy is nothing if not a scholar of the laws of the game with an almost autistic (replace with ‘enviable’) ability to recall even the most obscure regulation at will. This was highlighted in a game at Sandhurst in 2018, when he insisted the game be abandoned due to non-conforming stumps which were ¾ inch smaller than the regulation 28 inches as stated in Law 8 of The Laws of Cricket.